Words Matter
How often do we hear the phrase “words matter”? We know it is true and we often search for the right words to say. Choosing the best words for our online communications is very important. Our words online can both engage and attract interest in our mission or community or they can turn people away. This is true in all of our postings, but especially in the way we say “welcome” on our websites.
Not every parish website offers “welcome” to visitors, but some do. The welcome can be simply the word welcome with a few additional words or a paragraph or two. Sometimes the welcome is in the form of a short message from the pastor. Here are some welcome messages that I found on parish websites this week. Most of them used Welcome as the heading. The parishes with an * are parishes that I work with. When welcomes were longer, I only quoted the words directed to the visitors themselves
- If you are new to the area, looking for a place to belong, or are already a member of our parish community – know that there is always a place for you as we gather around the table of the Lord. (St. John Bosco, Parma Heights, OH*)
2. Welcome! This website is here to serve you and to provide you with the latest information about our parish. Come back often. (St. Columbkille Parish, Parma, Ohio*)
3. Your interest in St. Anselm Parish is deeply appreciated and we want you to know that we are here for you. (St. Anselm Parish, Chesterland, OH*)
4. Thank you for your interest in our parish. Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we’re happy to have you here.
(St. Bridget of Kildare, Parma, OH)
5. We are a vibrant and prayerful Catholic Community welcoming you to worship God in Spirit and Truth, enlivening the vision of faithful stewardship, charitable outreach dynamic evangelization. (St. Peter Parish, West Brandywine, PA)
6. This is our home on the Internet. Here you will find the latest news and information about Sacred Heart Church and School in Miles City, Montana, and our attached mission of St. David Church in Broadus, Montana. Please take a moment to explore our website and check back often for updates! (Sacred Heart Parish, Miles City MT)
7. We welcome you to our parish! If you are new in the area, we invite you to worship with us and participate in our parish activities. We extend a special invitation to those who may have been away from the church for a while to rejoin us. Through this website, we hope to provide opportunities to grow in faith through some of the links that are offered and to keep you up to date with parish activities. (St. Mary Parish, Wayne, MI)
8. Welcome to St. Andrew Catholic Church! We are grateful that you have visited our website and hope that you might choose to be part of our community. . Whether you’re just visiting us for a brief time, looking for a new parish home, are returning to the practice of your Catholic faith or are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church, we’re happy to have you here. (St. Andrew Catholic Church, Eagle River, Ak)
9. Welcome to St. Timothy Catholic Church …Maybe you’ve been faithfully practicing the Catholic faith for you entire life, or you are just beginning to explore what it means to be Catholic. No matter where you are on your journey in faith, we welcome you. (St. Timothy Catholic Church, Columbus, OH)
10. On behalf of our parish community, I am pleased to welcome you to the St. Joseph Catholic Community! We love visitors and are always happy to receive new members! Our website is one way that we provide helpful information to both visitors and parish members alike. I hope that you’ll find our website helpful!
(St. Joseph Catholic Church, Strongsville, OH*)
Each of these parishes demonstrate an “evangelizing spirit” simply by offering welcome to visitors. Perhaps, the example of the parishes listed above and many others like them will encourage more parishes to devote a little space on the website for this important online outreach.
